First of all, let me express gratitude to my divine Guru’s Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sri G Narayana and Sri U C Sharma, who inspired and enlightened me and chose me for this Para Vidya of Vedas and Vedanta’s. I experienced that Para Vidya can be earned only through the grace of Guru only. The credit of Anything valuable to mankind in this article goes to my Guru Sri U C Sharma who ordered me to read the Taittriopanishad. Error or shortcomings if any lies on my part. To know more about the difference between Para and Apara Vidya please visit this link. veda-and-vedanta.html
Upanishads are known as “Vedanta”. They are the basic lighthouse containing full secrets of the path leading to God. The word Upanishad means learning and revealing the knowledge of the supreme spirit under a master. In Taittriopanishad father and son became teachers and learners where Rishi Varun Guides Rishi Bhrigu to learn about Atman through Tapasya. In Kathopanishad learner Nachiketa holds the teacher yama and demands, insists and extracts learning. The Upanishads inspired other works on Geography, Astronomy, Astrology, Economics, Political Science and Puranas. The Vedas and Puranas are the very foundation of Sanathana Dharma. Taitriopanishad is basically a commentary on Krishna Yajurveda.
Parts of Taittriopanishad
Taittriopanishad contains mainly 3 parts i.e.
1- Shiksha Valli,
2- Brahmanand Valli and
3- Bhrigu Valli
Shiksha Valli can be defined as seed Brahmanand Valli as a tree and Bhrigu Valli as a fruit. In other words, Shiksha Valli is a basic source of knowledge, the books Brahmanand Valli as the teaching of Guru and Bhrigu Valli is an experience of the learner. Let us explore each part briefly.
I- Shiksha Valli
Shiksha Valli is Samhita, which gives a gateway to Swarajya (self-rule) where the learner becomes free from Agyana where bondage is the result. In this world, there is Agyana persisting through natural causes. So, when its bonds loosen then liberation is attained.
Vyakaran (Grammer) has primary importance in Samskrit Literature. The main objective of Grammar is the right pronunciation. The main contents of the grammar are vowels, consonants, quantity (Matra), Initiative (Prayatn), Teacher and Learner.
Shiksha Valli starts with the promise of a student, probably this promise is essential to qualify to become eligible as a student and earn the grace of Guru. He will speak the truth always. He will practice righteousness, Let Brahman protect him and his Guru.
1.1 Five Samhitas
This Valli contains 5 Samhitas containing Adhilok, Adhijyoti, Adhividya, Adhipraj and Adhyatm (Atman) defining the life cycle of Samsara. These Samhitas represent the 5 secrets of human life. Whoever understands these secrets, achieves all material and spiritual upliftment’s in his life.
1) According to Adhilok Samhita Earth is a basic place, heavenly places are the ultimate destination Sky is the meeting point of both the places and Air is the medium of conjunction.
2) As per the Adhijyoti Samhita- Fire is the primary source of life, Sun is the ultimate source, water is the point connecting both and electricity is the medium.
3) Adhividya Samhita says that Guru is the Primary source of wisdom, Student is the destination, Vidya is the point connecting both and teaching is the process or medium of transmission of divine knowledge.
4) According to Adhipragya Samhita- Mother is the source of the Sristi, Father is the seed, children are their point of connection and intercourse is the process of generation.
5) According to Adhyatm (Atman)-For a human being Upper Jaw is the starting point, the lower jaw is the subsequent point, Speech Vani is their meeting point and the tongue is conjunct.
1.2 Phonetics and the theory of connecting links
Bhu, Bhuwah, Swah and Maha are the form of penance that contains Vedic wisdom. There are 4 phonetics which have 4 forms each totalling 16.
|
Phonetics |
Forms |
|||
|
Bhu |
Earth |
Fire |
Rigved |
Pran-Life Force |
|
Bhwah |
Sky |
Air |
Samved |
Apan-Vital Force |
|
Swah |
Heaven |
Aditya-Sun |
Yajurved |
Vyan |
|
Mah |
Aaditya |
Brahm |
Moon |
Ann-Food |
Whoever learns and understands above, becomes alert, aware and conscious. He gets alignment from all natural forces.
1.3 Karma’s - Duties
Shksha Valli specifies the sacred actions to be taken by sacred persons. These are Ritus, Truth, Self-Study, Teachings, Sham, Dam, Agnihotra, Service to Guest, Self-Sacrifice (Abhaydan), Parents, Service to the teachers.
1.4 AUM (OM)
Shiksha Valli defines Aum (OM) as the inner part of the word Brahman. It is practised for different purposes at different times i.e. Vowel, as a consonant, Mother, Force, Saam, Sandhi and as Chand.
1.5 Three Types of Sufferings
This world can be defined as a place of 3 types of suffering i.e Adhyatmik, Adhibhautik and Adhidavik. Adyatmik is a kind of suffering in absence of spiritual practices. Adhibhautik is a type of suffering caused by material things and Adhidavik is a cause of natural calamities. It suggests worshipping Mitra, Varun, Sun, Indra, Vrihaspati, Vishnu, Vayu and Brahma to get protection from the above sufferings.
1.6 Five Elements
Shiksha Valli further defines the five elements in the forms of places, vision, nature, Air, resources and elements. Which has been tabulated herewith precisely-
|
Group |
Elements |
||||
|
Panch Lok |
Earth |
Space |
Heavenly World |
Direction |
Connecting Directions |
|
Panch Jyoti |
Agni |
Vayu |
Aaditya |
Moon |
All nakshatra’s |
|
Panch Prakriti |
Water |
Medicines |
Herbs |
Space |
Atman |
|
Panch Pran |
Pran |
Apaan |
Vyan |
Udan |
Samman |
|
Panch Sadhan |
Eyes |
Ears |
Mind |
Speech |
Skin |
|
Panch Dhantu |
Skin |
Muscle |
Nadi |
Skelton |
Fat |
Through these fives of nature, a person can win five of Adyatman. Five elements inside of men complete five outside of it. AUM (OM) is Brahman. It needs to recite at every auspicious moment.
They work individually and as a team and help a person in due discharge of his duties. As a synopsis, this part suggests a person practice-
- Always speak the truth
- Practice Righteousness in every action
- No indiscipline in Self Study
- Respect the Parents, Teachers and Guests as God
II- Brahmanand Vally
In Brahmanad Vally teacher defines different types of flavours of God in a human body. Just refer to the following image-
In today’s context, it can be defined selfie of a human body. The Guru taught about the physical body, subtle bodies where God resides.
- Annamay Kosha
- Pranmay Kosha
- Manomay Kosha
- Vigyanmay Kosha and
- Anandmay Kosha
The first body referents the physical body (Sthool Sharir), the next 3 bodies are called subtle bodies (Sukshma Sharir) and the last one is called Vital Body (karak Sharir).
Further, the Guru advised Shishya to find out the Atman through his penance (Tapas). Listening, rumination and concentration are the steps of realisation. Here listening refers to learning Vedas by heart from a Guru. Rumination or Manan refers to Tapas by which process Atma Swarup of Brahma can be fixed in mind. Concentration is the single-minded attention on the principal so installed. Brahmanand Valli teaches and Bhrigu Valli proves by experience.
III-Bhrigu Vally
As advised by Guru Maharshi Varun, Shishya Bhrigu did Tapas and realised that Annam food is Brahman since all beings exist on food. In a way, the physical body is the gift of Annam. Annam is Guru since it leads to the knowledge of Brahman. Annam must be treated with respect. However, the master was not satisfied with the outcome since Brahman is much more inclusive.
By effort, he realised the Pranmaya Kosha i.e. human life is not possible without vital air, so Air is the Brahman. Since Air is subtle and different from the body. It pervades and subsumes the entire Annamaya Kosha. Through Brahmik outlook, he realised that vital air Pranmaya is the instrument to realise that he is Brahman, not merely a body. In a way, he concluded that Pranamaya is the soul of Annamaya. It has varieties called Pran, Apan, Vyan, Udan and Saman. In form of breath, Prana activates the head, Vyana the right, udana left, Samana the central and Apana the lower part of the body. By flowing through nerves, Prana activates different functions of the body. However, this answer was too could not satisfy the Guru.
By further penance, he realised that mind Manomaya is the Brahman since it discriminates between right and wrong and controls human activities. Mind is the cause of all sufferings and bliss. It is located between intellect and senses. If it is inclined towards Atman then it creates bliss. On contrary, if it is inclined towards senses then it creates a cycle of multiple desires leading to sorry. This answer too could not satisfy the master and he was advised to further studies.
Through further studies, Shisya realised that Tapas is Brahman since it causes a search of reality. In this way, a person fixes upon a step with a purpose in view it is a function of Vigyanmaya Kosha. Vigyanmaya is the process in which creatures are born and it is that by which creatures live. It is the intellect that causes all the above. Intellect is the cause of searching Atman and elevation. This answer too could not satisfy the Guru.
By further penance, Shisya realised that when the joy of achievement is tasted, it is the function of Anandmaya Kosha. Which is eternal and away from pain and pleasure. It is the Atman that tastes the bliss in presence of Atman.
Ultimately, he realised that all Koshas merged in Vigyanmaya Kosha and later into the Anandmay and finally, aspirant passes beyond even that, into the region of pure Sat. By above answer was acceptable to Guru and Shisya got successful in the journey of searching Atman.
Samast Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu
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